Filling in for Carbineman at his request.
This is for the edification of others. (to build up not tear down) Its a Christian perspective and do not offer this for a who is right or wrong discussion. This will be a lenghty one so eat first, pray before reading and seek out the Holy Spirits guidance to reveal things for your edification. If you are not a Christian, thank you for readin this for imformational purposes.
Ok now to the SOTD
"Search the Scriptures..they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
The "Scriptures" to which He had reference, were not the four Gospels for they were not then written, but the writings of Moses and the prophets.
When we look back to the Olt Testament we can see the gospel and foreshadows of Christ. "In the volume of the Book it is written of Me" (Heb. 10:7) The Apostle Paul, when referring to the narratives and events recorded in the Old Testament, declares that, "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Rom. 15:4) Later, when making mention of Israel's exodus from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness, he affirms, "Now these things were our examples" and "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: (marg. "types") and they are written for our admonition" (I Cor. 10:6-11). Again; when commenting upon, and while expounding the spiritual significance of the Tabernacle, he declares that it was "the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb. 8:5). In the next chapter he declares, "The Tabernacle...wasa figure for the time then present" (Heb. 9:8-9) and in Hebrews 10 he states, "The law" had "a shadowof good things to come" (10:1)
Some examples
GEnesis and Adam And Eve
In the coats of skin with which the Lord God clothed our first parents we have an incident that is full of spiritual instruction and which could never have been invented by man. To obtain these skins life had to be taken, blood had to be shed, the innocent (animals) must die in the place of Adam and Eve who were guilty, so as to provide a covering for them. Thus, the Gospel truths of redemption by blood-shedding and salvation thro' a substitutionary sacrifice, were preached in Eden. Be it noted that man did not have to provide a covering for himself any more than the "prodigal son" did, nor were they asked to clothe themselves any more than was he: in the one case we read, "The Lord God made coats of skins and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21), and in the other the command was, "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him" (Luke 15:22), and both speak of "the robe of righteousness" (Is. 61:10) which is furnished in Christ
CAin and Abel
In the offerings which Cain and Abel presented to the Lord, and in the response which they met with, we discover a foreshadowing of New testament truths. Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock with their fat. He recognized that he was alienated from God and could not draw nigh to Him without a suitable offering. He saw that his own life was forfeited thro' sin, that justice clamored for his death, and that his only hope lay in another (a lamb) dying in his stead. By faith Abel presented his bloody offering to God and it was accepted. On the other hand, Cain refused to take the place of a lost sinner before God. He refused to acknowledge that death was his due. He refused to place his confidence in a sacrificial substitute. He brought as an offering to God the fruits of the ground--the product of his own labors and in consequence, his offering was rejected. Thus, at the commencement of human history we have shown forth the fact that salvation is by grace thro' faith and altogether apart from works (Eph. 2:8-9).
Noah and the Ark
In the great Deluge and the ark in which Noah and his house found shelter, we have a typification of great spiritual verities. From them we learn that God takes cognizance of the doings of His creatures; that He is holy and sin is abhorrent to Him; that His righteousness requires Him to punish sin and destroy sinners. Yet, here also we learn that in judgment God remembers mercy, that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; that His grace provides a refuge if only His sinful creatures will avail themselves of His provision. Yet only in one place can deliverance from the Divine wrath be found. In the ark alone is safety and security. And, in like manner, today, there is only one Saviour for sinners, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Exodus
In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their wilderness journey we see portrayed the history of God's people in the present dispensation. We, too, were living in a world "without God and without hope." We, too, were in bondage to the cruel taskmasters of sin and Satan. We, too, were in imminent danger of falling beneath the sword of the avenging Angel of Justice. But, for us, too, a way of escape was provided. For us, too, a Lamb was slain. Unto us, too, was given the precious promise, "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Exod. 12:13). And we, too, were redeemed by Almighty power and were "delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col. 1:13)
After our exodus from Egypt there lies before us a pilgrim journey thro' a barren and hostile wilderness as we journey toward the Promised Land. We have to pass thro' a strange country and meet with enemy forces, that we are unable to overcome in our own strength. For these tasks our own resources--the things we brought with us out of Egypt--are altogether inadequate, and thus we, too, are cast upon the sufficiency of Israel's God. And blessed be His name, ample provision is made for us and grace is furnished for every need. For us there is heavenly manna in the exceeding great and precious promises of God. For us there comes water out of the Smitten Rock in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39) who refreshes our souls by taking of the things of Christ and showing them unto us and who strengthens us with might in the inner man. For us too, there is a pillar of cloud and fire to guide us by day and by night in the Holy Scriptures which are a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. For us, too, there is One to counsel and direct us, to intercede for us and help us overcome our Amalekites in the Captain of our salvation who has said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." And, at the close of our pilgrimage we shall enter a fairer land than that which flowed with milk and honey for we have been begotten "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven" for us.
Some types of Christ foreshadowing in the OT
Abel was a type of Christ. His name signifies vanity and emptiness which foreshadowed the Lord Jesus who "made Himself of no reputation," literally "emptied Himself" (Phil. 2:7), when He assumed the nature of man who is "like unto vanity" (Ps. 72:9). By calling, Abel, was a shepherd, and it was in his shepherd character he brought an offering to God, namely, the firstlings of his flock--speaking of the Good Shepherd who offered Himself to God. The offering which Abel brought to God is termed an "excellent" one (Heb. 11:4) and as such it pointed forward to the precious blood of Christ, the value of which cannot be estimated in silver and gold. Abel's offering was accepted by God, God "testifying" His approval of it; and, in like manner, God publicly witnessed to His acceptance of Christ's sacrifice when He raised Him from the Dead (Acts 2:32). Abel's offering still speaks to God--"by it he being dead, yet speaketh;" so, too, Christ's offering "speaks" to God (Heb. 12:24). Though guilty of no offense, Abel was hated by his brother and cruelly slain at his hand, foreshadowing the treatment which the Lord Jesus received at the hands of the Jews--His brethren according to the flesh.
Isaac was a type of Christ. he was the child of promise. His nativity was announced by an angel. He was supernaturally begotten. He was born at an appointed time. He was named by God (Gen. 1:18-19). He was the "seed" to whom the promises were made and thro' whom they were secured. He became obedient unto death. He carried on his own shoulder the wood on which he was to be offered. He was securely fastened to the alter. He was presented as a sacrifice to God. He was offered on Mount Moriah--the same on which,two thousand years later, Jesus Christ was offered. And, it was on the "third day" that Abraham received him back "in a figure" from the dead (Heb. 11:19).
Joseph is a type of Christ. He was Jacob's well-beloved son. He readily responded to his father's will when asked to go on a mission to his brethren. While seeking his brethren he became a "wanderer in the field" (Gen. 37:15)--the "field" figuring the world (see Matt. 13:38). He found his brethren in Dothan which signifies the law--so the Lord Jesus found His brethren under the bondage of the law. His brethren mocked and refused to receive him. His brethren took counsel together against him that they might put him to death. Judah (Judas is the Greek form of the same word) advised his brethren to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites. After he had been rejected by his brethren, Joseph was taken down into Egypt in order that he might become a Saviour to the world. While in Egypt, Joseph was tempted, not without any compromise he put from him the evil solicitation. He was falsely accused and thro' no fault of his own was cast into prison. There he was the interpreter of dreams--the one who threw light on what was mysterious. In prison he became the savor of life to the butler, and the savor of death to the baker. After a period of humiliation and shame, he was exalted to the throne of Egypt. From that throne he administered bread to a hungering and perishing humanity. Subsequently Joseph became known to his brethren, and in fulfillment of what he had previously announced to them, they bowed down before him and owned his sovereignty.
Moses was a type of Christ. Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter--so that legally he had a mother but no father, thus typifying our Lord's miraculous birth of a virgin. During infancy his life was endangered by the evil designs of the ... ruler. Like Christ's, his early life was spent in Egypt. Later, he renounced the position of royalty, refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; and he who was rich, for the sake of his people, became poor. Before he commenced His life's work, a long period was spent in Midian in obscurity. Here he received a call and commission from God to go to deliver his brethren out of their terrible bondage. The credentials of his mission were seen in the miracles which he performed. Though despised and rejected by the rulers in Egypt, he, nevertheless, succeeded in delivering his own people. Subsequently, he became the leader and head of all Israel. In character he was the meekest man in all the earth. In all God's house he was faithful as a servant. In the wilderness he sent twelve men to spy out Canaan as our Lord sent out the twelve Apostles to preach the Gospel. He fasted for forty days. On the mount he was transfigured so that the skin of his face shone. He acted as God's prophet to the people, as as the people's intercessor before God. He was the only man mentioned in the Old Testament that was prophet, priest and king. He was the giver of a Law, the builder of a Tabernacle, and the organizer of a Priesthood. His last act was to "bless the people (Deut. 33:29), as our Lord's last act was to "bless" His disciples (Luke 24:50).
Samson was a type of Christ--see the Book on Judges. An angel announced his birth (13:3). From birth he was a Nazarite (13:5)--separated to God. Before he was born it was promised that he should be a saviour to Israel (13:5). He was treated unkindly by his own nation (15:11-13). He was delivered up to the Gentiles by his own countrymen (15:12). He was mocked and cruelly treated by the Gentiles (16:19-21, 25) yet he was a mighty deliverer of Israel. His miracles were performed under the power of the Holy Spirit (14:19). He accomplished more in his death than he did in his life (16:30). He was imprisoned in the enemy's stronghold; the gates were barred, and a watch was set; yet, rising up at midnight, in the early hours of the morning--"a great while before day"--he burst the bars, broke open the gate, and issued forth triumphant--a remarkable type of our Lord's resurrection. He occupied the position of "judge," as our Lord will in the last great day.
David was a type of Christ. He was born in Bethlehem. He is described as "of a beautiful countenance and goodly to look upon." His name means "the beloved." By occupation he was a shepherd. During his shepherd life he entered into conflict with wild beasts. He slew Goliath--the opposer of God's people and a type of Satan. From the obscurity of shepherdhood he was exalted to Israel's throne. He was anointed as king before he was coronated. He was preeminently a man of prayer (see the Psalms) and is the only one in Scripture termed "The man after God's own heart." He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, suffering chiefly from those of his own household. Repeated attempts were made upon his life by Israel's ruler. When his enemy (Saul) was in his power he refused to slay him, instead, he dealt with him in mercy and grace. He delivered Israel from all their enemies and vanquished all their foes.
Solomon was a type of Christ. He was Israel's king. His name signifies "Peaceable," and he foreshadows the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus when He shall rule as Prince of Peace. He was chosen and ordained of God before he was crowned. He rode upon another's mule, not as a warrior, but as the king of peace in lowly guise (I Kings 1:33). Gentiles took part in the coronation of Solomon (I Kings 1:38) typifying the universal homage which Christ shall receive during the millennium. The Cherethites and Pelethites were soldiers, so that Solomon was followed by an army at the time of his coronation (I Kings 1:33; cp. Rev. 19:11). Solomon began his reign by showing mercy to and yet demanding righteousness from Adonijah (I Kings 1:51)--such will be the leading characteristics of Christ's millennial government. Solomon was the builder of Israel's Temple (cp. Acts 15:16). At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon was the one who offered sacrifices unto the Lord: thus the king fulfilled the office of priest (I Kings 8:63), which typifies the Lord Jesus who "shall be a Priest upon His throne" (Zech. 6:13). Solomon's "fame" went abroad far and wide and "all the earth sought to Solomon" (I Kings 10:24). The queen of Sheba, representing the Gentiles, came up to Jerusalem to pay him homage (I Kings 10) as all the nations will to Christ during the millennium (see Zech. 14:16). All Israel's land enjoyed rest and peace. The glory and magnificence of Solomon's reign has never been equaled before or since--"And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel" (I Chron. 29:25).
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